Improvement in fence-wire stretchers



N. BURNHAM. FENCE-WIRE STRETCHERS.

No. 195.568, Patented Sept.25.1877.

PETERS, PHDTO-IJTHOGRAPHER. WASHINGTON, D C,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIoE.

NATHANIEL BURNHAM, OF AMBOY, ILLINOIS.

IMPROVEMENT IN FENCE-WIRE STRETCHERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 195,568, dated September 25, 1877 application filed July 26, 1877.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, NATHANIEL BURNHAM, of Amboy, in the county of Lee and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fence-Wire Stretchers; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, and in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view. Fig. 2 is a similar view, showing its application to afence.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

This invention relates to certain improvements in the fence-wire stretcher for which Letters Patent of the United States No. 169,7 70 were granted to me on the 9th day of N ovember. 1875, by which it is rendered more durable and more easily adjusted to the fence and operated; and it consists in the improved construction of parts, which I shall now proceed more fully to describe.

A is a circular wheel or disk, having laterally-projecting teeth or ratchets 0. Upon the side from which the teeth or ratchets project the disk A has two diverging shafts or horns, B B, near together at the base, but a greater distance apart at the points. On the opposite side the disk A has a spindle, B, which serves as a handle for holding and guiding the disk while it is being turned. On the same side of disk A there are twoor more projections, F, by the aid of which the disk may be turned with a lever of any suitable construction. An ordinary iron bolt or bar will answer the purose. p The method of using my improved wirestretcher will be readily understood from the foregoing description, and by reference to the drawings hereto annexed. After the wire has been placed on the fence-posts the stretcher is placed on the wire at any convenient point,

generally at or near the middle of the fence. This is easily done by simply inserting the wire between the horns B B till it reaches and presses against the disk A. This is then turned either by a lever placed between projections F and spindle B, or by the horns B B. around which the wire is thus wound until sufliciently stretched. The teeth or ratchets U engage with the wire on both sides of the horns B B, thus holding the stretcher in position, and keeping the wire taut.

In my original patent, above referred to, I use, instead of the horns B B, a slotted shaft, B, in the slot of which the wire is inserted, when the operation is substantially the same. I have found, however, by practical experience, that the slot had the eliect of weakening the shaft, which would sometimes break. It also had the disadvantage of being too easily disengaged from the fence-wire.

The horns B B, above described, and shown in the drawing, admit of being made stronger than the shaft B could possibly be. Diverging at the points, as they do, they prevent the device from slipping off the wire; and, finally, they furnish a handle by which the stretcher may be turned without the aid of a lever.

Having thus described my invention, Iclaim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States- The improved wire stretcher herein described, consisting of the wheel or disk A, having laterally-projecting teeth or ratchets U, handle B, projections F, and diverging shafts or horns B B, substantially as and for the purpose herein shown and specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

NATHANIEL BURNHAM.

Witnesses:

O. W. BELL,

CHESTER BADGER. 

